I watched these three Rufous hummers chasing each other around for 10 minutes, and was ecstatic (and very grateful) when they all settled onto this in-range weed.Addendum: a few fresher flowers were cloned in over dead ones.

The fact you captured all three hummers posed nicely, sharp, and with an eye showing is extraordinary, Sandy. If you had not listed the 600mm lens, I would have guessed it was taken with more of a wide angle lens.

Not sure why this isn't posted in Digital art, the middle and right bush are the same bush, and the background is obviously fake too. This really puts a stain on this forum imo, especially when its not being called out as the obvious ps it is. The story just adds to the deceit. This is going way beyond the blurred background and branch removal many do. I will swing by and have a look periodically but when pics like this get the comments they do, I see no point in posting.

Not sure why this isn't posted in Digital art, the middle and right bush are the same bush

Stuart: Yes, I cloned in parts of fresher flowers instead of some of the dead flowers that were there, but that does not make the image "fake." Exactly how much cloning is allowed in the forums on this site ??

Not sure why this isn't posted in Digital art, the middle and right bush are the same bush

Stuart: Yes, I cloned in parts of fresher flowers instead of some of the dead flowers that were there, but that does not make the image "fake." Exactly how much cloning is allowed in the forums on this site ??

Sandy

Come on Sandy, the middle bush is exactly the same as the right one. that's not cloning a few flowers. Put it in the digital art where it belongs and you may get some comments to help improve it.

“It is also suggested that significant post processing steps be mentioned, such as approximate crop percentages and changes in content.”

I see absolutely no examples in any of the images I have replied to (other than in Photo Art where we mention the Art programs we used) where crop percentages, things like branches removed, etc were even mentioned.

There was NO "significant post-processing changes" made to this image.

Further, the branches are quite different if one actually looks carefully before squawking. Sandy

Hmmm- If a whole branch is actually moved, it's very possible that might be more manipulation than is generally accepted in this particular NSN "birds" forum. These cuties would be delightful in P&DA if that is the case.

Agree that the image appears highly manipulated upon first glance. Contrast and saturation of middle bird and branch appear to be different from those on either side. Also, as Stuart mentioned, the complete cloning of the top of the bush on which the middle and right birds are sitting detracts from the image further. Lastly the trio of birds appears to have been superimposed upon the background. Whether or not this is the case I'm not sure, but it does appear that way.

I would just like to remind everyone that if you repost an image in the same post, it must be shown in the thread beneath the original. You should not alter the original post, as that might make the comments irrelevant or confusing. Here is a quote from the guidelines:

"Two reposts are permitted per image post. The original poster may include a repost after the original image indicating it is the modified version, but please do not replace the original image."

We all need to keep these things in mind in order to avoid conflict and confusion.

In this case, we see that this photo was "Last edited by Sandy R on Tue May 22, 2018 5:28 am, edited 5 times in total."

Please, in the future, show your edits in the thread BELOW the original, and only 2 are permitted.